Hostage crisis follows killing of pastors in India’s Manipur state

A hostage crisis in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur has left 20 people unaccounted for following the killing of three Kuki-Zo pastors and their driver more than 10 days ago, triggering retaliatory abductions between Kuki-Zo and Naga groups, both predominantly Christian communities.

Federal authorities are now investigating after the crisis began May 13, when the pastors were ambushed while returning from the United Baptist Church Conference in Churachandpur to Kangpokpi, two hill districts in the state. The killings were followed by the abduction of villagers and travelers from both communities in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.

The pastors killed in the attack were identified as Rev. Vumthang Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulun and Pastor Paogoulen, as previously reported by Christian Daily International. Four others were injured. Some Kuki-Zo groups blamed the Zeliangrong United Front’s Kamson faction, or ZUF-K, an armed Naga group, for the attack and alleged it was acting as a proxy for armed groups from the predominantly Hindu Meitei community in the state.

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